Summary
On July 16, 2025, the ransomware group BlackByte claimed responsibility for an attack targeting Ark Consultancy (arkconsultancy.co.uk), a UK-based company specializing in management and technical consultancy for social housing. The threat actor threatens to release sensitive data unless negotiations are initiated.
Incident Report
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Target | Ark Consultancy |
| Domain | arkconsultancy.co.uk |
| Country | UK |
| Attacking Group | BlackByte |
| Date Reported | July 16, 2025 |
| Threat Actor Statement | “The full leak will be published soon, unless a company representative contacts us via the channels provided.” |
About Ark Consultancy
Ark Consultancy Limited is a leading management and technical consultancy specializing in social housing, dedicated to supporting local authorities and housing associations throughout the UK. They offer a wide range of services that include asset management, decarbonization, resident engagement, and strategic governance.
About BlackByte
BlackByte is a notorious ransomware group known for targeting organizations worldwide, often threatening to release sensitive data unless ransom demands are met.
Proactive Measures Against Ransomware
Organizations should enhance their cybersecurity posture to mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks. Implementing robust network security, regular data backups, and employee training on phishing attacks are essential steps. Additionally, dark web monitoring can be crucial in detecting potential threats early. We recommend using tools like the Email Breach Checker to keep an eye on your organization’s vulnerabilities and prevent data breaches.
Recommendations
- Monitor your domains and email addresses for exposure using reputable threat intelligence tools.
- Conduct a full compromise assessment and incident response drill internally.
- Verify backups and ensure they are offline and ransomware-resistant.
- Educate staff on phishing, social engineering, and lateral movement techniques used by groups like Qilin.
- Engage with cyber forensics and legal counsel before initiating contact with threat actors.
Check Your Exposure
Wondering if your organization or employees are impacted by recent breach activity?
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Check domain-wide breach exposure:
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Check if an email was breached:
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Disclaimer
The MSPDarkIntel team does not engage in the exfiltration, downloading, taking, hosting, viewing, reposting, or disclosure of any stolen information.
All breach data reported here is sourced from publicly available threat intelligence feeds for awareness and early-warning purposes only.
Our goal is to inform organizations of emerging threats so they can take timely defensive action.
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